On either end of the "maple-beer trail" between the Wolf Hollow Brewing Co. and Riverside Maple Farms Sunday, there were treats worth trekking the path, something that families, couples and clumps of friends discovered as they made their way back and forth on the opening.

The quarter-mile trail connecting the microbrewery and the farm property has been operational for a few weeks. But Sunday was the official opening, with a bonfire located at a stop on the trail where people could chat and warm up.

Ideally, people will be able to snowshoe, cross country ski or simply walk the trail, as envisioned by operators. Dogs are welcome on the trail, which is currently open noon to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays and will be open for additional hours as warmer weather arrives.

Margaret Barry and Penny Cole, both from Scotia, were on the trail on Sunday. The two had started their day at Riverside Maple Farms to buy syrup. They walked to Wolf Hollow for a lunch that included beers, then walked back to the maple store to their cars.

"It's a beautiful day," Barry said.

The two women had been to Wolf Hollow in the past, and lauded the brewery's other previous promotional events. The addition of the trail was just one more reason to come visit the area.

"They have some great concerts. It's a good time," Cole said.

Dawn Mallory, of Nassau, and Randy Caldwell, of Troy, sat at the busy bar on Sunday. The two had just ordered beers, and were enthused with the brewery, which they were visiting for the first time.

"I like it. I think it's really cool," Mallory said.

"It's nice. And it's packed," Caldwell added.

Pete Bednarek, the general manager of Wold Hollow, was tending bar inside the packed tavern, where families and groups ordered burgers and brews.

Bednarek explained that the two businesses have been cooperating on marketing and promotion for years. Last year, Wolf Hollow and Riverside Maple Farms organized a joint tour day, which promoted inside looks at operations of both facilities.

"That worked really well, and we wanted to collaborate again," Bednarek said.

Having a quick and easy way for people to travel from one establishment to the other was the logical next step, Bednarek said.

The brewery owns the property on which the trail is located, Bednarek said, and when the brewery first moved to the space, some smaller paths existed.

The brewery also boasts an accessible location to Route 5, Bednarek said, which makes the sites more convenient and accessible to potential customers from throughout the Capital Region.

Creating the maple-beer trails was simply a matter of cleaning up the area, said Bednarek, who indicated future plans are to expand the trail. For now, the trail offers a modest distance and relatively level typography that lends its use to just about anyone.

"The feedback has been great," Bednarek said. "The property is really beautiful. Our whole atmosphere and vibe has always been about just being a relaxed place."